NEW YORK: Addressing a rapturous crowd of NRIs here,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed on Sunday that India will move ahead at a
rapid pace and lead the 21st century world.

At a unique event at the Madison Square Garden in the
heart of Manhattan at which some 20,000 cheering NRIs were present, Modi said
that his big win in the Lok Sabha elections had come with a big responsibility
for him which he would fulfil.

Listing out India's advantages, the Prime Minister
said that its three strengths were democracy, demographic dividend in which 65
per cent of its population was under 35 years, and the demand for India because
it was a huge market.

Clearly with an eye on the younger generation, Modi
said, “We will not do anything which will let you down. My government will be
100 per cent successful in fulfilling the aspirations of the people.”

Attired in a saffron Nehru jacket and yellow kurta,
the prime minister held the packed indoor stadium spellbound, asserting that “Our
attempt is to make development a peoples' movement.”

In his over hour-long speech in Hindi which he began
with ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ while extending greetings for Navratri festival, Modi
promised good governance saying after a gap of 30 years India has got a
government at the Centre with a clear majority.

He also had a jibe at poll predictions in the run up
to the Lok Sabha elections. “No political pundit or opinion makers could fathom
such a verdict,” he said.

Winning elections brought with it a big
responsibility, he said. “Ever since I took up this task (as Prime Minister), I
have not taken even a 15-minute vacation,” he said.